Population-control measures have sometimes been implemented since the 1960s. During the war and economic crisis, the government thought a population boom was the last thing it needed.

Last year the population grew 6.2 per cent - which was among the fastest in the world, but that was slower than the previous year. The government thinks more children could mean more economic security.

That security has already arrived for many families who believe they can now afford more children.

In Vietnam, it is often desirable to have boys, which has led to another problem, gender imbalance, and what is believed to be one of world's highest abortion rates.

Nguyen Thu Huong and her husband have two girls and say they would be happy with a third.

“My little one says, 'Mommy, please have another baby so we can have more fun'. Actually, we don't mind having a boy or a girl," Huong said.